Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and attempts to limit the spread of the virus to children and families, we are forced to make challenging decisions that will change our normal, daily operations. While changes are necessary to ensure the safety of our community – children and families – and our staff, all decisions are made with child safety at the center.
Once Marion County has been determined safe from community spread, the Agency will re-evaluate these changes and notify the public in a timely fashion. You can follow us on Facebook at Marion County Children Services for the most up-to-date information regarding Agency operations.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at 740-389-2317, Monday – Friday, from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Our emergency, on-call staff is available after normal business hours by contacting the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 740-382-8244.
Lobby Closure – Effective March 17, 2020 at Noon
Marion County Children Services is announcing the temporary closure of our lobby to the public. The Agency will continue to operate but is asking the public’s assistance to limit the need of walk-in visitors. We will continue to receive concerns of child maltreatment, assess safety, complete visits, and provide supports and referral to families.
During this pandemic, we are respectfully requesting the following methods of contact:
Phone: 740-389-SAFE or 740-389-2317
Email: moreinfo@marionkids.com
Staff Directory: http://www.marionkids.com/contact-us/staff-listing/
We will arrange appointments, if needed, to ensure services are delivered to those who need them.
In-Office Case Reviews / Semi-Annual Reviews Suspended – Effective March 18, 2020
In-office Case Reviews / Semi-Annual Reviews (SARs) have been temporarily suspended. Although a formal meeting will not be held, we are providing the option of phone conferencing. If participants are not interested or unable to participate via phone conferencing but have information to share, we ask that you provide a phone or e-mail update to the assigned caseworker. These updates will be incorporated within the Case Review / SAR document.
Visitation Center Closure – Effective March 18, 2020 @ 4:30pm
Any visits scheduled to occur at the Agency’s Visitation Center have been temporarily suspended. Caseworkers will be making diligent efforts to coordinate alternative methods of contact during this time.
Casework Staff Required to Work Remotely – Effective March 20, 2020 @ 4:30pm
Our work to receive concerns of child maltreatment, assess safety concerns and promote strong families continues.
Casework staff can be reached via email and/or phone during normal business hours. Our staff directory can be accessed via http://www.marionkids.com/contact-us/staff-listing/. The Agency should be immediately contacted for any/all child safety emergencies at 740-389-SAFE or 740-389-2317. Our emergency, on-call staff is available after normal business hours by contacting the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 740-382-8244.
At this time, Executive staff will remain on site along with other essential staff.
Sincerely,
Marion County Children Services Management